In a 28-year career as a journalist, Tarun has been an editor with the India Today and The Indian Express groups, and the Managing Editor of Outlook. He is the founder of Tehelkaāwhich has garnered international fame for its aggressive public interest journalism. In 2001, Asia Week listed Tarun as one of Asiaās 50 most powerful communicators, and Business Week declared him among 50 leaders at the forefront of change in Asia. Tarunās debut novel, The Alchemy of Desire, was hailed by The Sunday Times as āan impressive and memorable debutā, and by Le Figaro as a āmasterpieceā. In 2007, The Guardian, UK, named him among the 20 who constitute Indiaās new elite.

Tarunās second novel, The Story of My Assassins was published in 2009 to rave reviews. Pankaj Mishra has said, āIt sets new and dauntingly high standards for Indian writing in Englishā, while Altaf Tyrewala has called it āan instant classicā. The bookās website is www.taruntejpal.com.